family

Holy Living

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The people in our daily lives, the family and friends we interact with everyday, these are the people on earth who should know the most about us.  How we treat each other, whether or not we trust each other, these are the cornerstones of our relationships.  It is too easy to take others for granted or think they will always be there because for such a long time they have always been there.  Yet things will happen in this broken and sinful world or time and age itself will catch up with every single person, and one day you may get a phone call that will change everything in an instant…they are gone.  None us really knows what is in-store for us each day, only God knows.  He doesn’t make the bad things happen, the sins of the human race has done that…however, He will bring comfort, He will bring courage and He will bring His presence to strengthen us.  Let’s strive to not take people and relationships for granted, each day.  I pray we attempt to live our best and present others with the light and love of Christ that we have so graciously received.  Amen.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)

A New Day

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Each morning brings a new day.  New opportunity, new interactions, a new hope, new joy.  The place we have the most impact in our life is Today.  The present moments…we cannot change yesterday or worry endlessly about tomorrow, it is Today that we can make a difference in our thoughts, our actions and with our words.  What does God ask of us today?  Do your best…be the best version of yourself God created you to be, that’s what you can do.  If you are unsure about it, pray to God that He will guide you and show you the way to go.  There is a phrase that keeps coming back to me ever since my Dad passed away, it is simply this…Do you best and let God take care of the rest!  I pray we seek God’s will for our lives and offer ourselves to Him and His mercy and grace.  Amen.

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Wherever You Go

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Our Lord and our Savior is always with us.  When we are with family and friends or when we are alone…when we are busy at work or focused on a certain task and when we are sitting peacefully…when we are driving or riding in a car or out for a walk…no matter what time, what place, what activity…our God has assured us He is with us.  I am reminded this morning what an amazing and awesome promise this is and how frequently we don’t trust it or believe it or just don’t think about it in our daily lives.  Take a moment and think about what is your plan for the day or where are you needed today, no matter what it is, whoever you are with or wherever you go…God will be with you…look for Him, look for where He shows up today.  You will see, if you trust and believe.  I pray that God will open the eyes of our hearts in all we do.  Amen.

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“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs)

Rest In Him

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Take your burdens and your worries to the Lord.  Take rest in His grace and forgiveness.  Believe in the sacrifice that Jesus made for you and trust in Him.  All that is good comes from God.  May you find peace and joy in the Lord.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

(This photo was taken in March in 2018 in southern New Mexico)

He Knows Me

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The One who created us knows everything about us.  Even if we haven’t spent much time with God in our life.  Even if we have put Him aside in our daily, weekly routine and have been trying to go it alone or do things our own way.  He knows you, He loves you and He wants to have a relationship with you.  If you want to seek more about this read Psalm 139.  Then pray and invite Jesus into your everyday moments.  God has a plan for you and your life and we must be willing to surrender our belief that we are in control and seek His Word.  God knows you, He loves you because He created you.  May our days be filled with the comfort of God’s presence.

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Peace Of God

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As I have been fully immersed in working through life after my Dad has passed away 7 days ago…there are moments of busyness, so much to take care of and do and there are moments of calm and reflection.  Life has slowed down and I am grateful for that pace change.  It will not be this way forever, and from the moment my brother called and told me ‘Dad is gone…they couldn’t bring him back,’ life has changed forever.  We can either fight it or we can embrace it…live it to the best of our ability…be present right where we are and trust in the Lord.  May you find peace with God in your life.

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“They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”

Psalm 145:5

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

God Of All Comfort

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Our strength…we are forgiven…He comes near to us…He holds us up…He wraps His loving arms around us.  I am so thankful for the Lord our God.  His presence is all around all of us.  The world does not want you searching for Him or trusting in Him.  He is our Rock and our Redeemer and we can have peace because of Him.  Look around you and your life and give thanks for the blessings God has given to you.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we  can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through the State of Montana)

God Is Love

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There is pain…we will have trouble…things will not go as we plan…what are we to do?  Everyone is facing something, something big or difficult.  Trying to overcome obstacles and find their way.  Some will fail and some will succeed…any failure and any success is better because of love.  Love powerful it is not weak, it can overcome pain, suffering and the troubles we face in life.  Love begins and ends with God.  We are created out of love, we are intended to live in God’s love while we are here and when we die Jesus Christ gave up His life to save us because He loves us.  I am convinced that love conquers all and if you need something, turn towards God and speak with Him, because He loves you and He is waiting to hear from you.  May the Lord bless you and keep you safe with love.

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“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

1 John 4:15-16

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Taste And See…

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In our times of greatest need, the only thing that will uphold you or sustain you is the Lord.  When things go sideways in your life according to your plans and it will happen I can promise you that much, any shred of hope, courage or peace will come from God.  No matter what is going on in your life, in your mind or in your heart…take it to the Lord today.  Share with God your fears, what you are worried about and trust in Him to uphold you…He promised He would and God never breaks His promises.  The only way to find out if something is good is to taste and see for yourself.  May God’s love and comfort surround you as it is surrounding all aspects of my family during this time of significant change.

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“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

 

I Know You Are Near…

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Friends I don’t have many words for you today…my family and I are working through the process of my Dad passing away this past Friday.  When were discussing music for the service this hymn was mentioned, and it keeps coming back to me in my mind all morning long.  Please pray for us and know that God is near you too.  Below is a link to the hymn and the lyrics below that.  Peace be with you.

Yahweh, I Know You Are Near ~ Dan Schutte

Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

[Verse 1]
Lord, you have searched my heart
And you know when I sit and when I stand
Your hand is upon me
Protecting me from death
Keeping me from harm

[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

[Verse 2]
Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there
If I fly to the sunrise
Or sail beyond the sea
Still I’d find you there

Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

[Verse 3]
Marvelous to me are your works
How profound are your thoughts, my Lord
Even if I could count them
They number as the stars
You would still be there

[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

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“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)